Piedmont increases sales tax

The Piedmont City Council passed a 1-cent sales tax increase Tuesday, which city officials said would raise $350,000 in 2015.

The sales tax increase is one of three key steps the city is taking to help balance  its new $5.2 million budget, which was also approved Tuesday. The other steps include transferring $1.9 million from the city’s utility budget and giving city departments the same amount they received in last year’s budget.

The vote to pass the sales tax increase was 5-2, with Councilwoman Brenda Spears and Councilman Frank Cobb opposed.

The increase will raise total sales tax paid in Piedmont to 10 cents from 9 cents. Once the tax takes effect, Piedmont shoppers will be charged a 5-cent city sales tax, a 4-cent state sales tax and a 1-cent county sales tax.